Hey everyone, don't usually post over on this side of the board... I'm considering a Variety cruise departing Athens either Sept 28th or October 14th. I've done some research but am having trouble finding a lot of recent reviews/posts online about Variety. I know some people had issues with them in 2008/9 over high winds creating a non-itinerary of just sitting around and having a very unhelpful staff. What I can't figure out is if they've corrected this issue in the last several years. My other concern is weather. This is supposed to be my "beach trip" (or at least my "swimming in the ocean and lounging in the sun a lot!" trip. Unfortunately we had to push it back until after Sept 20th due to my husband's job. I know nobody can predict the weather, but I'm wondering if anyone can steer me definately towards the 28th departure (which will involve missing the biggest festival of the year in Stuttgart, but I'll live) or tell me it's no big deal to wait 2 weeks til the 14th. Any help would be appreciated! We're looking into this because there's a 2 for 1 deal that seems almost too good to be true and seems like a convenient way to explore Greece for the first time without a ton of planning or effort.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
If you haven't done so already, try CruiseCritic Weather in the Greek Islands is typically still nice and warm around mid-September and not too windy. By mid-October it will be fairly windy with high clouds, and the nights will be chilly. Just be sure that the cruise you choose actually allows you enough time ashore to enjoy the beach.
Posted by
OP
Stuttgart, Germany
3049 posts
I have looked on Cruise Critic, there are only 4 reviews, 3 of which are positive, one is very negative. I was hoping for more feedback. This is our first cruise of any type. It's a small boat cruise line which is usually out of reach for us financially, but with the 2 for 1 deal we can afford it. The itinerary allows for lots of beach time and lots of dropping anchor for swimming in bays and BBQs on deck. Sounds perfect to me, but not if the weather is too cold to enjoy it. I've been thinking I should go for the earlier cruise (if we go this route - we could also skip it and do a non-cruise trip to Greece starting on the 21st of Sept). The most important thing is relaxation and good weather and beach time and no throngs of tourists or too much difficulty, as my husband will be coming off a very stressful project at work and Greece is totally unknown to us. So a cruise sounded like a great idea - will keep doing research, thanks for the info!
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Then by all means go in September instead of October, and go with a DIY land-based vacation so you aren't at the mercy of unpredictable weather that could make sailing unpleasant.